NPR News: 01-10-2025 12PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 10, 2025, 12 PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: January 10, 2025

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1. Donald Trump's Felony Conviction and Legal Protections

Timestamp: [00:13 - 01:07]

In a significant legal development, former President Donald Trump has been sentenced to an unconditional discharge by Judge Juan Mershon in New York. This sentencing comes eight months after a state jury convicted Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment. Notably, Trump will assume office in 10 days despite this felony conviction.

Judge Mershon emphasized the unique legal protections afforded to the President, stating:

“Ordinary citizens do not receive those legal protections. It is the office of the president that bestows those far-reaching protections to the office holder.”
– Judge Juan Mershon [00:41]

Trump, who appeared virtually for the sentencing, continues to deny any wrongdoing. He has characterized the legal actions against him as a "witch hunt" aimed at derailing his campaign.

2. Southern California Wildfires and Surge in Looting

Timestamp: [01:07 - 02:15]

Southern California is battling two of the largest wildfires in recent memory, with containment levels at a mere 8% and 3% respectively. These devastating fires have led to the tragic loss of at least 10 lives and the destruction or damage of thousands of structures.

Adding to the crisis, authorities in the Los Angeles area are grappling with a surge in looting incidents. At least 20 arrests have been made so far in connection with these crimes. Firefighters are struggling to manage the fires, and law enforcement officials are working diligently to restore order.

Tiandra Pitts, a resident of Altadena, shared her harrowing experience:

“Looters took my son's sneaker collection, my jewelry, and even my washer and dryer.”
– Tiandra Pitts [01:37]

She highlighted the emotional toll of the looting, questioning how perpetrators can continue their spree of theft:

“They take everything. We seen them doing it. How do you take that from somebody who already have enough?”
– Lakshmi Singh [01:49]

In response to the increased criminal activity, disaster-stricken communities have imposed curfews. Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Lunas announced that deputies are intensifying enforcement efforts:

“If you are in one of these areas and you do not belong there, you are going to be subject to arrest.”
– Tiandra Pitts [02:03]

To bolster security, National Guard troops have been deployed to man checkpoints in vulnerable communities, as reported by Greg Allen of NPR News in Los Angeles.

3. Supreme Court Hears TikTok's Future in the U.S.

Timestamp: [02:15 - 03:08]

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing a pivotal case that will determine the future of TikTok in America. The platform is challenging a Biden administration law that seeks to ban TikTok, arguing that the legislation infringes upon free speech rights for millions of users, many of whom rely on the app for their livelihoods.

Windsor Johnston from NPR explains:

“The appeal from TikTok challenges a Biden administration law that will ban the act in the United States. The platform argues that the law violates free speech for tens of millions of Americans, including many who use it to make a living.”
– Windsor Johnston [02:22]

Conversely, the Justice Department contends that TikTok poses a national security threat, suggesting that foreign adversaries could exploit the platform to collect data on American users. The move to ban TikTok was initially a bipartisan effort in Congress last year. Former President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to save TikTok and has requested the court to postpone the enforcement of the ban until he assumes office.

4. U.S. Census Bureau Initiates Major Field Test for 2030 Census

Timestamp: [03:08 - 04:23]

The U.S. Census Bureau is proactively seeking public feedback on its strategies for conducting the first significant field test in preparation for the 2030 national census. This initiative aims to enhance the accuracy of the population count, which is crucial for allocating political representation and distributing federal funds.

Hansi Lo Wang of NPR reports:

“Next year's census test is set to involve more than 600,000 participants in parts of Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Counting who lives in college dorms, nursing homes, and other group living quarters has long been a challenge.”
– Hansi Lo Wang [03:39]

Among the proposed changes is the option for residents of group living quarters to complete the census online, thereby streamlining the data collection process. Additionally, the Bureau plans to train certain census workers specifically to engage with residents in these unique living situations as well as those in individual households.

Public comments regarding the testing plans are expected to be submitted by early March. The outcomes of the 2030 census will have far-reaching implications, determining each state's share of congressional seats, Electoral College votes, and the distribution of trillions in federal funding over the next decade.

5. December Jobs Report and New York's Initiative for Free School Meals

Timestamp: [04:23 - 04:52]

The Department of Labor has released its latest monthly jobs report, revealing a robust gain of 256,000 jobs in December. This growth surpassed analysts' expectations, indicating a resilient labor market despite ongoing economic uncertainties.

In education news, New York Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a groundbreaking proposal to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student in the state, regardless of their family's income. Governor Hochul highlighted research demonstrating the positive correlation between accessible school meals and improved learning outcomes.

“Free breakfast and lunch may be available to every student in the state of New York, no matter their family's income, under a proposal Governor Kathy Hochul announced today.”
– Lakshmi Singh [04:23]

This initiative joins the efforts of eight other states that have implemented similar programs, aiming to ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals to support their academic success.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been excluded to focus on the core news discussions.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President elect Donald Trump returns to office in 10 days with a felony conviction on his record but no punishment. In New York today, Judge Juan Rashon sentenced Trump to unconditional discharge eight months after a state jury convicted Trump of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records linked to a hush money payment. Today, Mershon described the extraordinary nature of the protections afforded Trump.

[Judge Juan Mershon]

Ordinary citizens do not receive those legal protections. It is the office of the president that bestows those far reaching protections to the office holder. And it was the citizenry of this nation that recently decided that you should once again receive the benefits of those protections, which include, among other things, the Supremacy clause and presidential immunity.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Trump appeared virtually. He maintains he's done nothing wrong and was the target of a witch hunt to derail his campaign. In Southern California, firefighters are making incremental progress against two of the biggest wildfires. One's 8% contain and the other 3%. The fires have resulted in at least 10 deaths. Thousands of structures are damaged or destroyed. And moments ago, Los Angeles area authorities issued another warning about looters. NPR's Greg Allen says at least 20 people have been arrested so far.

[Tiandra Pitts]

Mandatory evacuations are still in effect for a number of areas and looting has become a significant problem. In Altadena, Tiandra Pitts says looters took her son's sneaker collection, her jewelry and even her washer and dryer.

[Lakshmi Singh]

They take everything. We seen them doing it. How do you take that from somebody who already have enough?

[Tiandra Pitts]

Disaster communities throughout the region have imposed curfews. Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Lunas says deputies are stepping up enforcement. If you are in one of these.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Areas and you do not belong there.

[Tiandra Pitts]

You are going to be subject to arrest. National Guard troops have been deployed to help man checkpoints in vulnerable communities. Greg Allen, NPR News, Los Angeles.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments today in a case involving TikTok's Future in the U.S. here's NPR's Windsor Johnston.

[Windsor Johnston]

The appeal from TikTok challenges a Biden administration law that will ban the act in the United States. The platform argues that the law violates free speech for tens of millions of Americans, including many who use it to make a living. The Justice Department argues that the site poses a threat to national security because it could be used by foreign adversaries to gather data on American users. Legislation to ban the app in the US Was a bipartisan effort in both chambers of Congress last year. President elect Donald Trump has pledged to save TikTok and has asked the court to delay the start date of the law until he takes office. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

From Washington, this is NPR. The U.S. census Bureau is asking for public feedback on its plans for the first major field test ahead of the next national headcount in 2030. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports. The bureau says the test, to be held next year, is designed to help reduce an accurate tally of the country's residents that will be used to redistribute political representation and federal funding.

[Hansi Lo Wang]

Next year's census test is set to involve more than 600,000 participants in parts of Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Counting who lives in college dorms, nursing homes and other group living quarters has long been a challenge. One of the potential changes the bureau plans to test before the 2030 census is giving administrators and residents of those group quarters the option to fill out a census form online. Another change is training, training some census workers specifically to interview residents of group quarters as well as those of individual households. Public comments on testing plans are due in early March. The results of the actual census in 2030 are set to be used to determine each state's share of congressional seats, electoral college votes and trillions in federal funding for the next decade. Han Zi. Lila Wang, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Labor Department's latest monthly jobs report shows a higher than expected gain of 256,000 jobs in the month of December. Free breakfast and lunch may be available to every student in the state of New York, no matter their family's income, under a proposal Governor Kathy Hochul announced today. Hochul cites research that links available school meals to better learning. Eight states have similar programs. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.

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